Thu October 31, 2013

As a 10-year-old child, Howard Phillips Lovecraft would tuck himself into his grandfather’s library and read. Lovecraft’s father had gone mad and his mother eventually would too, making his wealthy grandfather – and all of those books –the center of Lovecraft’s world. Then his world fell apart. Lovecraft’s grandfather died and the estate was badly managed, wiping away his comfortable life in Providence. To earn much needed income Lovecraft, at 13-years-old, carefully crafted astronomy pamphlets and sold them, essentially starting his career as a published writer.

This latest “Up Close” offers dances from the 19th century to world premieres. Topics range from a smartly funny, and goofy, piece called “Tea Time” to a heart-rending vision of the end of life. The music? Well, that goes from Igor Stravinsky and Gustav Mahler to Ray Charles and Jacques Brel.

The dancing by Festival’s best is, generally, at a high level. And, of course, in that rehearsal room the dancers are right there in front of you.

Yes, you could figure that “Les Mis” might be just a tad over-saturated these days.

Many have seen it at least once. Or, they’ve heard the wonderful score.

But, you know what? “Les Mis” is still worth seeing, worth being affected by, worth pondering for its immense world view. And the production opening the season at Ocean State is a first-rate effort. No, it doesn’t have the great turntable racing the pace on stage. It hasn’t reached the incredible settings of Broadway or top flight road shows.

Arts & Culture

9:00 am

Mon October 7, 2013

An historic Providence diner is back in business after years of painstaking restoration. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places.

The West Side Diner on Westminster Street was originally located in Olneyville. After it closed in 1999, it was slated for demolition until developer Jon Ozbek purchased and moved it. The result is a gleaming stainless steel and glass block edifice that has been fully restored to its 1947 glory. Co-owner Lisa Arena said much of the structure is original.

Arts & Culture

10:08 am

Mon September 23, 2013

Providence restaurants did a brisk business this weekend as a convention of foodies descended on the capital city.

For the uninitiated, a taste trekker is a person who plans their vacations around food. Over the weekend some 150 of these people visited Providence for the first Taste Trekkers Convention. They listened to top chefs, heard lectures on subjects as obscure as Memphis barbecue and chocolate from Madagascar, and of course they ate. Matt Bowie came from Somerville, Massachusetts.

For decades, English playwright Caryl Churchill has been accorded Goddess stature in the upper reaches of play writing circles. Fiercely political, strongly on the left, Churchill made her mark with plays of attitude and insight.

On this edition of All Songs Considered, hosts Bob Boilen and Robin Hilton share a brand new song from Beck. The new cut, called "Gimme," is the third single he's released since June and by far the strangest (i.e., best) of the bunch. None of the songs will be on the new full-length record Beck hopes to release before the end of the year.

Let’s just say it right up front. Directed with bold assertion by Brian McEleney, on a kooky set that somehow works by designer Michael McGarty, “The Grapes of Wrath” is mesmerizing theater. With its quicksilver pace, its heartfelt performing and all-American drive, this production ranks among the best in Trinity’s history of taking on big deals and making them individual, and accessible.